Corky Viola (left) and Gene Mayhew, both of New Castle, hang wreaths on the local Presbyterian church to prepare for Saturday's local Christmas celebration.

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The Spirit of Christmas is more than a feeling in historic and hospitable New Castle.

It's an annual event - starting 10 a.m. Saturday - that is simultaneously a communitywide welcoming of guests from near and far, a holiday homecoming and a public celebration of Christmases past, with proceeds of special sales to help the less fortunate.

And visiting the Colonial-era town in its most picturesque season offers guests the feeling of walking through greeting card images sparked to life. ...